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36 Best Stops Between Gisborne and Nelson
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Wanderlog staff
Updated • updatedApr 10, 2023
Updated • updatedApr 10, 2023
How long is the drive from Gisborne to Nelson?
The direct drive from Gisborne to Nelson is 461 mi (741 km), and should have a drive time of 15 hrs 31 mins in normal traffic.
If you’re going on a road trip from Gisborne to Nelson, we did the research for you and compiled some great stops along the way — with Wellington, Napier, Blenheim, Westland Tai Poutini National Park, Hastings, and Picton, as well as top places to visit like Morere Hot Springs and Cape Kidnappers, or the ever-popular Rere Rockslides.
Visiting Gisborne or Nelson? See our Gisborne Trip Planner and our Nelson Trip Planner.
461 mi
Total Distance
15 hrs 31 mins
Drive Time
36 stops
Cities / Attractions
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Top cities between Gisborne and Nelson
The top cities between Gisborne and Nelson are Wellington, Napier, Blenheim, Westland National Park (Te Wahipounamu), Hastings, and Picton. Wellington is the most popular city on the route. It's 7 hours from Gisborne and 8 hours from Nelson.
1
Napier
Napier, a charming coastal city in New Zealand's Hawke's Bay region, is famous for its stunning art deco architecture and picturesque waterfront promenade. The city was rebuilt after a devastating earthquake in 1931 and is now home to iconic landmarks like the zigzag-patterned Daily Telegraph Building and the Pania of the Reef statue.
15% as popular as Wellington
1 minute off the main route, 18% of way to Nelson
2
Hastings
Hastings, a vibrant inland city in New Zealand, is one of the main urban areas in Hawke's Bay. Situated on the east coast of the North Island, it has a population of around 51,500 people. Together with Havelock North and Clive, the total population reaches approximately 68,790. Located about 18 kilometers from Napier, Hastings offers a unique blend of urban and natural attractions.
7% as popular as Wellington
2 minutes off the main route, 19% of way to Nelson
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3
Westland Tai Poutini National Park
National park
Westland Tai Poutini National Park is a breathtaking expanse that includes the famous Franz Josef and Fox glaciers, extending from the coastline into the mountains. Encompassing 115,000 hectares of high peaks, glacial lakes, and swift rivers, this park offers a range of outdoor activities such as hiking, mountain climbing, fishing, canoeing, hunting, and horse trekking.
14% as popular as Wellington
3 minutes off the main route, 45% of way to Nelson
4
Wellington
Events
Seasonal Fireworks
Wellington, the capital of New Zealand, is a vibrant city located near the southernmost point of the North Island. Known for its picturesque waterfront, sandy beaches, and colorful timber houses dotting the hillsides, Wellington offers a unique blend of natural beauty and urban charm. The iconic red Wellington Cable Car provides access to the Wellington Botanic Gardens from Lambton Quay. As 'Windy Wellington,' it's famous for its strong winds due to its location on the Cook Strait.
Most popular city on this route
3 minutes off the main route, 45% of way to Nelson
5
Picton
Nature & Parks
Bodies of Water
Picton, a picturesque town on the north coast of New Zealand's South Island, serves as a gateway to the stunning islands and inlets of the Marlborough Sounds. The area is home to attractions like the Edwin Fox Maritime Museum and EcoWorld Aquarium, which houses native wildlife. Nearby, visitors can explore the Queen Charlotte Track with its coastal forests and scenic ridges. Additionally, Picton is an ideal destination for wine enthusiasts due to its proximity to the renowned Marlborough Wine Region.
6% as popular as Wellington
4 minutes off the main route, 87% of way to Nelson
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6
Blenheim
Blenheim, located on New Zealand's South Island, serves as a gateway to the renowned wineries of the Wairau Valley. The town is home to the Marlborough Museum, which showcases the history of winemaking and early Polynesian settlement in the region. Additionally, visitors can explore the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre, housing a collection of World War I aircraft curated by filmmaker Peter Jackson.
8% as popular as Wellington
3 minutes off the main route, 88% of way to Nelson
Best stops along Gisborne to Nelson drive
The top stops along the way from Gisborne to Nelson (with short detours) are Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, Wellington Cable Car, and Te Mata Peak. Other popular stops include National Aquarium of New Zealand, Wellington, and Staglands Wildlife Reserve & Café.
1Urban K — Google reviewDarryl S — Google reviewLeon K — Google reviewChris B — Google reviewJamie C — Google reviewMatthew H — Google reviewAlison T — Google review•
Rere Rockslides
Nature & Parks
Geologic Formations
What an awesome natural water slide. Caution is important - it's slippery! I saw people losing their footing as they walked across the stream to get set up for the slide down. Be prepared for your air mattress or boogie board to take an unexpected turn. It's rock that you'll be banging against. And it looked like the people sliding had fun!
David V — Google review
Always been an incredible place with some dark New Zealand history though, but a fun place to go to, just be aware it's a rock slide so be careful cause you can get hurt.
The rock slide is a lovely natural wonder which looks like it would be fun on the right day.
The reason for the low rating is re all the untidy Kiwis, there was rubbish all over the place, even in the water, blow up mattresses, tyres, bottles etc. The rubbish bins were overflowing with rubbish on the ground. If you have driven all this way with the food, drink, body boards, mattresses etc, take it all home with you. This was the worst I have ever come across in NZ. Not a good picture.
There are two car parks, one at top and one at the bottom where the toilet is. There are tables and seating next to the rock slide. It's such an awesome way to cool off on a hot day. I highly recommend doing.
Looks like a great place to have fun sliding down the rock slides. There are warning signs up giving advice and injury is a possibility. We were on our own, so decided it wasn't safe to try, also no mobile phone connection available for emergency.
I would definitely recommend a body board or mattress for sliding down. There's a fairly deep pool at the bottom, worth checking out for obstructions hidden under water before sliding (submerged free branches etc).
Such a great day out for everyone. For the adventurous the rockslide is terrific endless fun. You can go again and again. Make sure you bring a body board but if you forget there are some broken ones in the skips. You can also bring smaller children as there is an area suitable for them to play.
Good fun, best to take an inflatable mattress/ air bed for best use. Body boards are ok. Generally safe, however you can expect a few bruises and bumps if you come off your equipment. Can get busy during peak periods, most people only stay for an hour or two. Toilets available to go to or to get changed in which was a bonus
A lot of fun if you are adventurous - imagine it would be even better if there had been a good rainfall before. A boogie board with handles would be better and safer than the assortment of yoga mats, etc that we saw
4.6
(340)
4.5
(191)
Wharekopae Road, Ngatapa 4072, New Zealand
2Shona W — Google reviewSharon J — Google reviewGlenn M — Google reviewGiles L — Google reviewTia R — Google reviewPeter M — Google reviewCarla M — Google review•
Morere Hot Springs
Mentioned on
Thermal baths
Nature & Parks
Morere Hot Springs is a 363-hectare reserve located in a natural bush setting, offering hot and cold pools hidden within native rainforest. Visitors can enjoy a large hot indoor swimming pool, cold outdoor pool, and two hot pools with a cold plunge pool accessible via a 10-minute walk through the bush. The area features stunning Nikau forest and picturesque river crossings, although some paths may be challenging for certain individuals.
I visited Morere Hot Springs at around 11 a.m. on a weekday, traveling approximately 40 minutes from Gisborne. Despite it being a weekday, the place was quite crowded.
After paying the entrance fee, we found both a pool area and spa facilities near the entrance. A short 10-minute walk through the forest led us to a secluded spa by the valley. The walk itself was refreshing, with the scent of trees adding to the experience. Although the two small spas there were busy, we joined in and enjoyed relaxing together with others. It was a fantastic experience.
We brought a simple packed lunch, which we shared with the kids. Afterward, we played together in the pool area near the entrance, and it was so much fun!
There are also barbecue facilities available for a fee of $10. I noticed some visitors had set up tents and were having a barbecue. It seems that day camping is allowed and quite flexible there.
Overall, we had a wonderful time at Morere Hot Springs, and I would recommend it to anyone looking for a relaxing and enjoyable day out with family or friends.
James J — Google review
Absolutely loved the experience here. We went on a week day and practically had the whole place to ourselves. The walk up to the top pools was just fabulous 👌felt like you were in another country (a very tropical feel) well done DoC. The top pools temps were good and the plunge pool was good too! Nice that these pools were tucked away for privacy from tge main pool down bottom. Fantastic and friendly service by Debbie at the office who gives you a thorough run down of the place. Only $20 per adult:-) for as long as you want. Thoroughly recommend stopping if you're popping through this way.
We had a lovely visit to the hot springs. Enjoyed both the inside and outside pools and the lovely reserve.
Avoid this place if looking for a peaceful and relaxing soak. There's a guy that is frequently there that plays his music loudly through his boom box and also does drumming, all right next to the pools. I spoke to the lady at reception who knows him by name and simply shrugged her shoulders with indifference. Even after I spelt out that paying $20 for a relaxing soak in native bush shouldn't have to put up with that stuff she couldn't have cared less. I won't be back give their couldn't care less attitude.
What a fantastic experience! Worth it for the walk in the Nikau alone. Lovely natural-feeling hot pool experience for the whole family. Interesting history too. We were so lucky to hit this on the first day open in two years, highly recommended, don't drive past! Check info on Facebook page as Google maps info needs updating. Currently closed Tuesday and Wednesday, open other days 11am-6pm.
Lovely place staff were friendly enjoyed our soak just some points to maybe look at the private pools could do with a clean as there was floating things in the water maybe a scoop or something to add and another thing the women's toilets there's only 2 showers maybe a time limit shower maybe future plans a sign saying please be mindful as I get it there's a door on the showers but nothing in the cubical
Absolutely delightful experience. Made extra special by the lovely Deb and Harmony. Two of the friendliest and sweetest woman you could ever meet.
The most amazing Nikau forest I have seen anywhere in New Zealand. The moss on all the rocks in the river crossings were also absolutely idyllic more so that I have seen elsewhere. The river crossings were an absolute highlight however these were a bit tricky with paths across high cliffs with big drop offs to walk, so certainly not for everyone. As an experienced tramper I had not expected much out of this reserve, but don't let the concrete path for the first five minutes fool you, a very worthwhile experience with a hot dip at the end.
4.3
(596)
4.5
(150)
State Highway 2, Mōrere 4078, New Zealand
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3Julia L — Google reviewKat S — Google reviewMarty H — Google reviewKevin M — Google reviewRui R — Google reviewLaurie H — Google reviewDebbie W — Google review•
Cape Kidnappers
Mentioned on
Peninsula
Nature & Parks
Nature & Wildlife Areas
Cape Kidnappers, perched on the eastern coast of New Zealand's North Island, is a stunning headland steeped in history and natural beauty. Named after an incident involving Captain Cook and local Maori, this breathtaking destination boasts dramatic cliffs that are home to the largest mainland gannet colony globally. Visitors can explore scenic hiking trails that wind along these impressive cliffs or enjoy eco-tours for an up-close experience with the gannets in their natural habitat.
A remarkable place to visit around the beach. A number of holiday parks available. Beach is clean for a swim however tides can be heavy.
Hash K — Google review
It's such a shame that the New Zealand government allows the privatization of land around some natural beauty. The free trail is along the beach, but you have to calculate the tide times because it takes a total of 5 hours to go and come back and the tide has to be low to be able to complete the entire trail. There is no longer the option of going over the top, because it is now private land and you have to pay 100 dollars for a tour to see the birds. It's better to see the gannets for free at Muriwai Beach in Auckland, don't sponsor tours like that.
Very disappointed, Google maps takes you to a private property.
But drive further to a Cafe/small parking area before the campsite. And if you are fit and The tides out you have 2.5 hours to get to the cliffs and see the birds. And then get back... 5 hours apparently so dilly-dallying to check out the place.
Such a shame $100 each doe a tour is way out our and many kiwi's budget.
Very disappointed, it's private property and you can't just enter unfortunately
You have to book. Not recommended!
Even if you don’t go all the way to the bird colony at the end, it’s a stunning walk along the beach. Towering cliffs overhead. Beautiful geography. An easy to navigate beach walk, though pay attention to tides.
There are some inlets to explore that look like they fill with water when it rains. But don’t expect to be able to climb up to the top of the cliff face anywhere easily.
There is parking at the end of the road, then walking through a trailer park at the beginning of the beach.
Great views. Highly recommend this hike.
The view is absolutely stunning! Remember to check the tide before you go. You can call to the office and they will tell you the exact time to start / end the walk. Whole walk is about 16km (6hrs - 7hrs).
There is a only toilet before you started to hike up the bluff to the Gannet Colony.
Nice scenic area and the Gannett colony you get very close to the birds its a 9 km hike along beach each way or pay 60 to ride on a tractor trailer with seats to get there
Did the tractor trip out along the beach and walked up to see gannets. Excellent day out. Fantastic views. Take warm jacket, good walking shoes and packed lunch!
4.5
(225)
4.5
(311)
Hawke's Bay Region, New Zealand, USA
4Charles P — Google reviewLivai ( — Google reviewS V — Google reviewDaniela C — Google reviewBrooks S — Google reviewHaydn M — Google reviewEdward R — Google review•
Bluff Hill Lookout
Mentioned on
Historical landmark
Sights & Landmarks
Lookouts
Bluff Hill Lookout, once a historic artillery battery site, offers sweeping views of the ocean and Napier City. To reach the lookout, visitors can start from Coote Road near the waterfront and follow signs leading to Priestley Terrace and Lighthouse Road. The steep climb takes you to the World War II Battery site with a commemorative plaque and seating areas for enjoying panoramic views of Napier City and the Port of Napier.
Very nice look out over the bay and the port. The road up is narrow but ok, and it is not a long drive up.
There is a carpark at the spot and there is no need walking.
Khaled D — Google review
Walked up to bluff hill lookout - mainly road until the last part. About 100m total climb which wasn’t too bad - not many steps. Views are really good nice peaceful at the top sitting on a bench enjoying the sun
I love this place because of the view to the sea. Bluff hill is right on the edge of a cliff, below is the a road and opposite is Napier Port. For me it's beautiful throughout the day, but its more beautiful in early morning or just before sunset.
There are benches there and toilets for the public. Some people walk their dogs with leash.
Also it has a clear view of ships coming in and out of the port.
If you ever come across Napier or just passing through, take a break and visit this place.
It offers spectacular views over Hawke Bay and Napier Port. The viewing area was constructed over the top of a World War II coastal defence gun emplacement. You can walk up to the top or take the car. Lots of bends and slow driving. It takes about 20 minutes to get there by car. No entry fee. Toilets available. Mostly open area. Parking is not that easy. Beautiful place. Lots to see. Great place for photography. Wear comfy shoes, take water, wear hat, sunscreen. Popular place, go early to avoid the heat as well.
Be aware that the Seapoint Road is pretty steep and narrow, so definitely not to recommend for bigger vehicles - take the Thompson Road!
But you have a really nice view of the ocean and the area is beautiful designed with flowers and benches to sit 🥰 I personally just didn't like the port in the view...
Steep drive up but really nice view. Well kept but lots of views seem cut off and fenced off. The drive up is a very narrow street and I dreaded any oncoming traffic on the way up or down
The Bluff Hill Lookout is a great place to go to enjoy the views out across the port and harbour, especially on a sunny day. There is plenty of parking at the top. Also has some nice gardens and a public toilet.
Another beautiful lookout point in Napier. View of the port and more. Peaceful and quiet , just right for us away from the crowds
4.6
(2387)
4.4
(1288)
50 Lighthouse Road, Bluff Hill, Napier 4110, New Zealand
5
Marine Parade
Mentioned on
Sights & Landmarks
Points of Interest & Landmarks
Marine Parade is home to Six Sister Coffee House, a charming spot just a short walk from Swiss-Belboutique Napier. This eatery offers a delightful menu featuring breakfast, brunch, and lunch options. Whether you're vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-free, there are plenty of choices to satisfy your cravings.
4.5
(1473)
Napier 4110, New Zealand
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6Brodie B — Google reviewKatherine H — Google reviewTravis M — Google reviewGerald S — Google reviewIndrajit N — Google reviewVictoria — Google reviewDiane H — Google review•
National Aquarium of New Zealand
Mentioned on
Aquarium
Nature & Parks
Zoo
The National Aquarium of New Zealand, located in Napier, is a fascinating destination showcasing a diverse range of marine and land animals. The Oceanarium, with 1.5 million liters of water, offers an immersive experience where visitors can observe shark species, stingrays, reef fish, tropical fish, turtles, and octopi. Additionally, the aquarium features penguin enclosures housing little blue penguins and dedicated spaces for iconic New Zealand creatures like kiwis and tuataras.
Love this place! Some awesome specimens of fish. Got to watch the penguin feeding and later the big fish feeding. Great way to enjoy a few hours. They also have kiwis
Tony J — Google review
A very well kept and satisfying place to visit. Always love seeing fish in their natural habitat, plenty of fresh water and salt water aquariums.
A wide variety of areas to go, easily walkable, cafe and gift shop there as well.
Was surprised there were no sharks in the tunnel area though. Still plenty of different species of fish, turtles, stingrays, crayfish, penguins, frogs, lizards, etc.
The turtle was very big, did keep bumping his nose on the glass though. Otherwise the turtle seemed okay.
Loved the experience! We were able to see the penguin being fed and fishes being fed by divers. It was a small aquarium and not complete. We were expecting octopus, squid or baby sharks but maybe the ecosystem of the water is not suitable for those. I'm prolly just dreaming. Lol. But I was happy with the stingrays! Too bad we were not able to see kiwis 😭
Exceptional visit here as we booked very early in advance to do the penguin feeding which is limited to a group of 4 a day only.
Staff at penguin feeding were very informative and friendly and great hosts to help us feed the penguins.
Penguins were our favourite exhibition.
The big turtle was great.
Kiwi Exhibition was great to see them walking around active.
2pm feeding time in the big tank was also a great watch especially the stingrays.
A nice little experience. We even watched the penguin feeding. It is all more personal in this smaller aquarium. Everything is really clean and you get to see a lot of sea animals, reptils and even Kiwis! One of our favourite experiences was the aquarium tunnel you can walk trough! Loved it!
A very well maintained aquarium near to Napier CBD, there are some shows for the audience which is great to watch and the one for penguin feeding was very informative. Kids love it and will be revising in the future...
Aquarium is tidy, love the turtles! The large turtle would be cool in the big enclosure so you could follow him around but I'm sure he's not for a reason.. probably would eat all the fish!
Lady on the front with the stunning red hair was great today, knowledgeable and easy to talk to.
Customer service like that is hard to come by these days! So cheers! Sorry I didn't get your name!
Very kid friendly and has wheelchair access. However, the value for money is quite $$ for a short encounter with the sea animals. Although, we had the chance to watch the staff feed them. It was still a good experience 😊
4.3
(4426)
4.0
(1497)
546 Marine Parade, Napier South, Napier 4110, New Zealand
7Ph U — Google reviewYizhen J — Google reviewBernstar — Google reviewAriez T — Google reviewRoxanne T — Google reviewRussell S — Google reviewNikki B — Google review•
Craggy Range
Mentioned on
Winery
Food & Drink
Craggy Range is a picturesque vineyard in Hastings, offering warm cottages, a chic lodge, and stunning views. The estate features the Craggy Range Restaurant, where guests can savor Head Chef Casey McDonald's seasonal dishes made with local Hawkes Bay produce. Additionally, visitors can enjoy wine tastings and events at Giants Winery on the grounds. With its award-winning cuisine and fine wines, Craggy Range provides a unique setting for memorable gatherings such as corporate events or celebrations.
I had an unforgettable experience at the winery, thanks to two amazing people who truly made my visit special. First, Michael — what an incredible tour guide! He gave me a fantastic tour of the winery followed by a wine tasting that I’ll never forget. He’s extremely knowledgeable, passionate about what he does, and made the whole experience engaging and fun. You can tell he really knows his stuff.
Then at the restaurant, I was lucky to be served by Samantha. She was absolutely lovely — warm, attentive, and professional. Her service was impeccable from start to finish, and she added such a personal touch that made the meal even more enjoyable.
All in all, an amazing visit thanks to the wonderful team. Highly recommended!
Víctor Z — Google review
We’ve visited quite a few vineyards, but the giants estate wine tasting experience at Craggy Range with Damian was easily the best wine experience we’ve ever had. His passion and storytelling brought the wines to life.. the way he shared the stories made the whole tasting unforgettable. It wasn’t just about the wine, it was about feeling connected to the vineyard and its craft.
Dinner at the restaurant was equally impressive. The plating was beautiful, and the dishes were cooked to absolute perfection. The venison tartare and the duck breast were standouts.. truly truly sublime.
Craggy Range has completely raised the bar for us. An unforgettable wine and dining experience that we’d recommend to anyone.
we had the winter Italian menu. It was incredible and good value! The service was the hilight of the night. The girl served us is friendly and funny. She gave me a box of chocolate truffles as to make up for put in my oyster order late. The Earl Grey was very nice. I asked what tea they use but then I forgot. :(
Absolutely beautiful. Staff excellent, restaurant world-class, vineyards and grounds meticulously presented. We stayed in a 2-bed cabin & even the design of the cabin, complementary bottle of Craggy Range wine, and daily generous stocking of breakfast supplies were a great experience. Loved Craggy Range!
Grand feast in Paradise! It’s like scenic beauty which has been painted with a brush by God himself and within this scenic wonder lay a nice restaurant almost as beautiful! And the food and wine... Splendid!
I ordered the shared menu starting with the Venison tartare followed by the raw local fish, marinated octopus, roasted hohepa halloumi and roasted crispy duck. All of this was very well presented like you expect in a top tier restaurant and tasted superb.
I ordered the Graham's 40 year old Tawny Port which cost $50 for just 60 ml glass. But once again the best port wine I have ever had!
The main course had lamb shoulder which was beautifully cooked and the meat just fell of the bone! Perfect!
And this was followed by the best dish and one of the best desserts which I have ever had! The Spring Pavlova was start to finish full of flavor! You could actually taste at least 4 different flavors in every morsel which and they complimented each other to perfection!
From the presentation, taste to the service, everything was absolute highest quality you could ever find anywhere in this world! It was a bit costly but worth every penny!
Can't thank my brother and his wife for treating me to this divine feast right in the middle of paradise! Next time... my turn!
We absolutely have to stop by Craggy Range whenever we're in Napier — it's a must. The accommodations are always amazing, the food is delicious, and the wine pairings are absolutely outstanding. This time, we visited specifically to check out the new restaurant. While it wasn’t open yet, we were still impressed by the stunning decor, inviting ambiance, and unbeatable location. We'll definitely be back soon to experience it properly — can't wait!
We had a great meal at the restaurant. Food was brilliant, atmosphere brilliant, service brilliant.and professional
But the thing that made it even better was the friendly nature of the staff who served us. They took the day to another level.
Craggy Range is simply breathtaking – the setting alone makes it worth a visit, with stunning views that create such a special atmosphere. The food was excellent and beautifully presented, and the staff were absolutely wonderful – attentive, warm, and welcoming from start to finish.
The wine list is exceptional, with a beautiful selection that showcases the best of the region, and the cocktails were just as impressive.
Craggy Range is a must-visit in Hawke’s Bay – an unforgettable combination of scenery, food, wine, and hospitality.
4.7
(1390)
4.4
(542)
253 Waimarama Road, Havelock North 4230, New Zealand
8Stuart N — Google reviewKava G — Google reviewBatrisyia U — Google reviewKarina H — Google reviewTe M — Google reviewRyan B — Google reviewSteve C — Google review•
Te Mata Peak
Mentioned on
Mountain peak
Nature & Parks
Te Mata Peak, located 30 minutes south of Napier, offers a variety of outdoor activities such as hiking and biking with stunning views of Hawke's Bay from the summit. The area features unique landscapes including open farmlands, rolling hills, and a redwood forest. Visitors can also explore Te Puia village to witness performances in a modern setting and marvel at geothermal wonders spread over 60 hectares of land, including the famous Pohutu Geyser.
Nice view from the top. You can ride MTB as well. You can go to the peak by a car. But be careful last part of the road is bit narrow and you cannot see vehicles coming from the top quickly.
Malitha B — Google review
What an amazing view of Hastings. You can see for miles and the drive up is stunning. There's a winery in the distance worth a visit.
Absolutely amazing panoramic views of the region. Tracks are very well maintained. A good day to visit is a nice sunny day preferably without wind as it can get quite windy at the peak.
Great view from the peak,
Quite narrow road when driving up and down. There's walking trail too if you don't want to drive
Such an amazing place to visit the views are incredible. Take your time, go for a wonder.. Great photos fresh air 👌 🙌
Beautiful views at the top of The Mata peak. We drove to the top but you can walk from the bottom up.
Many trails to walk so can add if you want, don't mountain bike but those tracks look awesome. Great views from the top
Can also just drive to the top but walks are worth it for a day or afternoon.
Always a great place to visit. On a clear day, and the right time, you can take a snap of the best views. Very scenic, great for photographers.
4.8
(455)
4.7
(1718)
Tuki Tuki 4294, New Zealand
9S S — Google reviewJ K — Google reviewLeah — Google reviewLorraine C — Google reviewNathan R — Google reviewSally W — Google reviewJohanna D — Google review•
Birdwoods Gallery
Mentioned on
affordable
Cafe
Nestled in the rural town of Havelock North, Birdwoods Gallery & Cafe offers a unique experience with its expansive grounds and diverse offerings. Visitors can explore lush garden grounds adorned with beautiful sculptures, an old-fashioned sweet shop, and a gallery shop. The homely cafe serves up decadent cakes and a variety of menu options for outdoor dining. Situated in the original church hall of St Peters in Waipawa, this location holds historical charm and ample space for families to enjoy.
Dropped in for afternoon tea and had a delicious chocolate brownie and zesty lemon tart. Coffee was also the best we've had since arriving in Napier a few days ago, nice and strong. The grounds / gardens are nice to walk around in aswell.
Jason D — Google review
Lovely high tea for a baby shower in the garden room today - a fantastic menu too. The sandwiches were delicious, as were the brownies and cake made for the event. The atmosphere was great - not too crowded, warm and bright with a gorgeous table setting. We couldnt finish all the food on each tower between a few of us! Couldn't recommend it more.
Birdwoods Café is a gem—delightful food served fresh and full of flavour, paired with a wonderful environment to wander through. The gardens and gallery make it more than just a café stop, it’s a whole experience.
Staff were so accommodating and friendly as we showed up without a reservation and the staff were so kind to set us up a table (thank you). The atmosphere & scenes were stunning. The food was so tasty & wholesome. Would absolutely return & recommend to anybody thats never been or planning to go.
Incredible place to stop off at...the sweet store alone is worth it! We only got drinks from the cafe/restaurant however the service was incredible! Easy parking, clean toilets, plenty of beautiful gardens for the kids to explore and art sculptures to admire. Plus you can feed the Ostrich! A very cool place to visit for a quick catch up or family outing...defs worth the effort if you're holidaying and looking for something a bit different yet fun!!
Other than having to sitout in the, The garden room, nice setting, just a bit cold when wet, service great just a bit too long to take our order.
Otherwise 100% recommended to visit even just for the sweet store.
Wonderful our multi generation family group loved the relaxed feel, wonderful lunch and beautiful gardens. Space for kids to play, not to be missed if travelling to Hawkes Bay
This is a lovely spot. Amazing sculpture garden and we loved the old fashioned sweet shop. Well worth a visit!
4.6
(1773)
4.6
(600)
298 Middle Road, Havelock North 4172, New Zealand
10Stefan S — Google reviewAnna T — Google reviewIan G — Google reviewBradley — Google reviewHayley B — Google reviewGeoff P — Google reviewRichard M — Google review
de la terre winery
Mentioned on
Winery
Food & Drink
Wineries & Vineyards
De la Terre Winery offers a warm welcome to wine lovers, with an interesting lineup of wines including vintage Methode Traditionnelle blanc de blancs, viognier, chardonnay, syrah, and tannat-based red. Winemaker Tony Pritchard may even show you his old-school method of hand-twisting bottles for less sediment movement. The winery's idyllic setting amidst creative sculptures and structures provides a retreat from urban reality.
Stopped in on the off chance of getting a refreshment without a Booking, The Owners and Staff and the Friendly Dog were very accommodating to us, Yummy refreshing Drink. A must place to visit on a journey across the Taihape Napier Road
Jen — Google review
Off the beaten track and our favourite winery of the day! Tony is so knowledgeable about his wines and passionate about how he’s made them. The wines themselves were fantastic - both different from a lot of what you get in the area, and some great European varietals that were a real treat. Perfect ambience.
What a great experience. We stumbled upon this winery and it is totally worth it, better than other wineries we visited in the area for the ambiance alone. It was a rainy day and the place felt like home. It was cared for and intentional. The welcome committee is featured in a Wine dogs of New Zealand book. ❤️
Our last visit to this winery was about 8 years ago so we were keen to see their progress over that interval and travelled up there on the Sunday of Labour Weekend 2025. We were well pleased with that decision. Enjoyed a very interesting tasting of some quite different wines and came away with a box of 6. Tony is an excellent host and very passionate about his craft. You learn lots of new stuff. He is also a very creative artist in sculptures. The gardens contain some stunning works, notably the Haast Eagle, the Trout Fly and a representation of R2-D2 from Star Wars ( I think ). We also shared a small pizza for our lunch. If you are thinking about going somewhere innovative, different and very interesting you will not be disappointed in a decision to visit here. Cheers,
Being recommended by other members of the wine industry to visit De La Terre, despite the beautiful location and pleasant wines, the owner was rude and disrespectful. Prompting our group to hurry with our choices of what to taste as he felt there were more important groups coming. For a $15 tasting the pours were miniscule where you could barely get 3 small sips from the glass. We were really looking forward to a tasting from a cellar door run by the wine maker but to be treated so poorly, I wouldnt recommend this vineyard to others.
Occasionally an experience simply makes you smile;
de la terre winery did this for us! The grounds are beautiful with every element obviously meticulous crafted and currated, the menu was simple in a yummy way, the wine was clearly a labour of love and the tasting experience informative in an easy unpretentious way.
Thoroughly enjoyed our visit and now torn between telling everyone how great it was and trying to keep the secret.
This is an outstanding winery to visit. We spent a very enjoyable hour or so speaking with the winemaker who very generously and patiently described how he makes some outstanding wine. The passion and knowledge was clear to see and appreciated. The wines were amazing anyway but tasted that bit better with that little bit of knowledge. We didn't try the food but delicious aromas made us regret that as we left. You need to try the reserve Tannat, just one out of several interesting varietals that are sensational.
Beautiful tasty little pizzas with a lovely side salad. A terrific wine tasting lineup where you get to pick your 5. Such an impressive winery, an array of unusual varieties and very high quality. Everything hand done, even the label. Great venue, cafe and outdoor seating And such a lovely dog. Well worth a trip.
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11Susan A — Google reviewPam M — Google reviewMercPri — Google reviewGillian A — Google reviewPaul W — Google reviewCameron H — Google reviewGeorgie W — Google review•
River Valley
Mentioned on
Hotel
Outdoor Activities
Nestled in the heart of the Manawatu-Wanganui region, River Valley Lodge is not your typical hostel. It offers a range of adventurous activities such as white water rafting, hikes, and a unique gold mining era-inspired river crossing. The lodge provides various accommodation options from backpacker-style bunkrooms to luxurious ensuite double rooms, making it an ideal base for exploring the central North Island.
I recently booked an 8-day riding holiday, and it was truly a memorable adventure. The breathtaking scenery, reliable horses, and wonderful guides made every moment enjoyable. We were blessed with perfect weather, allowing both people and horses to swim in the river. The food was not only delicious and healthy but also plentiful. Our guides even surprised us with delightful treats now and then, which added a special touch. On our last day, we had an exhilarating white-water rafting adventure led by an experienced and knowledgeable guide. Each evening, dinner was a joyous occasion where guests and staff came together to relax, share stories, and enjoy each other’s company after a long day outdoors. The exceptional warmth from everyone involved made the trip truly special.
Yveline C — Google review
Spent 2 days and nights here March 2025 and did 2 Burn the Breeze horseback rides for experienced riders. The accommodations were clean and comfortable and along the river. The meals provided were varied and home cooked with produce grown on the premises and were quite delicious. The staff was friendly and helpful and went out of their way to make our stay enjoyable. Our horseback rides were great fun and the horses were wonderful, well trained and responsive. It was a learning experience to ride using Natural Horsemanship and ride without bridles and bits. Miss T was a joy to ride and did many lopes through gorgeous scenery.
Our stay was amazing. The staff was very friendly and welcoming. The food was awesome. The scenic rafting tour was beautiful, and our guides, Finn and Tom, were great.
Accommodating is an understatement! We booked a family river rafting cruise, however with me being 20 weeks pregnant at the time, the lodge informed us that per the NZ law I am not allowed to get on a raft, however they immediately had alternative activity options lined up for us and we chose a tour around the neighbouring landscape with e-bikes. What a blast! And this is saying a lot as we had our 3-year old with us which the staff made an effort to accommodate with a toddler bike seat and toddler helmet. They also packed us a lovely picnic to have halfway through our journey. Overall the staff were friendly and accommodating from the minute we arrived and entertained all our toddlers questions and comments :). It is quite the drive to get to the lodge but the views are worth it and the sound of the nearby waterfall makes it feel even more special. Husband and toddler also enjoyed use of the hot tub which had a view of the river. The accommodation is backpacker style but there are options for those (like us) wanting an en-suite bathroom. The bedding is also hotel quality and incredibly comfy. We were there in Autumn so it was cool but heating in the room is sufficient. Definitely a place for nature lovers and people who like to socialise. The restaurant is so cozy. I read about the amazing food that Miranda whips up but I was still blown away. There was plenty of food at dinner and breakfast time and it was super delicious. So definitely something for those that like more luxury than pure backpacker life. There is a communal kitchen if you want to cater for yourself. We didn't use it but seemed clean and tidy. We will be back again when my parents visit from overseas!
This was a delightful place to stay. The food was absolutely amazing. The best vegetables I have ever had. We went for the rafting experience. It was a great adventure. Hazel made the experience so much better! She was funny, very experienced and we always felt safe. Wonderful place!!
Best service, friendliest, most welcoming hosts & staff, and amazing food anywhere. A beautiful natural spot by the Rangitikei River too!!
We want to go back!😍
We experienced the most tranquil and stress free stay. The Valley is both picturesque and breaktaking, the food was 'to die for' and the staff go above and beyond to cater to your needs.
I highly recommend adding this stay to your travel itinerary.
Thanks again Janey and staff. We will definitely be back for a longer stay in the future!
Cam and Chris.
An amazing authentic country lodge with outdoor activities - we had an incredible time whitewater rafting and also horse riding around the beautiful landscape.
The food is mostly homegrown and the dinner we had was the best food we had in our stay in NZ. The lamb shank and creamy mash with fresh raspberry crumble was divine. Janey and her team provide a bespoke service and tailor your stay to your wishes. Cannot recommend enough!
4.8
(201)
5.0
(107)
River Valley Lodge 266 Mangahoata Road, RD2, Taihape 4792, New Zealand
12Corrin T — Google reviewJohn N — Google reviewIan A — Google reviewEmma T — Google reviewLynn C — Google reviewAndrew R — Google reviewDebbie M — Google review
Dannevirke Fantasy Cave
Mentioned on
Temporarily Closed
Nature & Parks
Caverns & Caves
Nestled in the charming town of Dannevirke, the Dannevirke Fantasy Cave is a delightful destination that promises fun for visitors of all ages. This enchanting attraction showcases beloved children's stories and rhymes through intricate displays that come to life, making it an interactive experience where kids can engage with their favorite characters. Despite facing temporary closure last year, the cave has reopened thanks to generous sponsorship, ensuring its magic continues for families.
A hidden jewel in the heart of Tararua. This is an amazing treat for all the family, young and old, boys and girls of all ages. See all your favourite children's stories and rhymes recreated in moving and highly detailed displays. Lots of chances for kids to push buttons and interact with the displays. The entrance to this wonderland is on the main street of Dannevirke. Only $3 entry for kids and $7 per adult. Definitely worth a visit.
Haydn M — Google review
Such a lovely place to see all the wonderful things that have been created over the years for the enjoyment of children. We have been 3 years in a row now its so great.
The photos with Santa is a Christmas tradition now.
An outstanding visit for young and old . We have taken many of our grandchildren there over the years. A hidden treasure to rival big city efforts .
This place was awesome....run by volunteers....reasonably priced. However lots of steps. Can't wait to take more grandchildren!
It's always a pleasure visiting fantasy cave every year for our family photo with Santa. The staff are wonderful and the kids love them because they are so friendly.
Have never really stopped in town but decided to visit every shop
Up one side of the street down the other
Enjoyed every minute took about 2 hours
Would recommend a visit
Friendly chatty shop assistants
Great day
Well organized, easy to find, the dogs liked it, the people really knew what they were doing. Good simple facilities.
Great visit for all age groups. Santa gave me a lollie bag even though I am half a century old.
13Ed — Google reviewCaroline A — Google reviewTracy W — Google reviewKirsty W — Google reviewSandie H — Google reviewNoel L — Google reviewMaren B — Google review•
Awastone - Mangaweka
Raft trip outfitter
Outdoor Activities
Awastone, located in the charming village of Mangaweka, New Zealand, has been offering river adventures for over 35 years. The Eames family operates this company and has expanded it to include a licensed cafe, campgrounds, and cabin accommodation. Visitors can enjoy rafting on the Rangitikei River followed by a delicious meal at the onsite restaurant. The relaxed atmosphere and friendly staff make it a delightful place to stay.
Absolutely beautiful.
We discovered this little piece of paradise while travelling to Marton recently in our motorhome.
I had rung and left a message regarding accommodation and Trish got back to us quickly.
Location is just beautiful.
Trish and Paul and all their staff were so welcoming. Had breakfast at the cafe in the morning on the deck overlooking the Rangiteiki river. Doesn't get much better.
Looking forward to staying again soon.
Thanks again
Paul and Julie Vander Drift.
Raglan
Julie D — Google review
This is a lovely campsite - so far our favourite one in NZ (we are 4 days in). It is quiet. The location is beautiful, by the river and the dramatic riverbank. The campsite was quiet on an early November weekday. The facilities are well maintained. The bar has a nice outside terrace and is welcoming. I strongly recommend!
The Awastone is run by great people and the place has a great atmosphere. Highly recommend this place for gaining your grade 2 kayak cert Paul takes his time and really cares about how you go he works at your pace. The course is great value for money.
The food and coffee at the cafe is also top notch and exactly what you need after a day on the river.
This is one of my favourite places to stay, ever! In the world. It's quiet, clean and beautiful. I've stayed a number of times over the years on both sides of the river camping, and in the studio cabin. I love it, and highly recommend. Thanks Tricia for being awesome btw 🤩
Not only can you get great food, a beer, and an amazing view you could stare at all day, but I also had the most amazing massage at Awastone. We were camping for the weekend, so I thought why not, and I wasn’t disappointed.
I started with a hot tub and then a 30-minute massage, I should have gone for longer, it was just incredible. Tricia was welcoming, professional, had great pressure and her wee cabin was so cosy. I felt totally comfortable and relaxed.
We can’t wait to come back over the summer and go rafting.
Beautiful spot along the river. Hosts and cook were wonderful. We even got to feed the lambs. Food was fantastic too.
(Lunch Monday 17.11.25)
An absolute treasure.
Great friendly service.
Delicious food.
Spotless bathrooms.
Ticks all the boxes.
Awesome hidden spot. Lovely service. Beautyful location. We enjoyed every moment.
4.7
(496)
5.0
(47)
143 Ruahine Road, Mangaweka 4746, New Zealand
14Macca — Google reviewFraser B — Google reviewTruis O — Google reviewDavid F — Google reviewKevin A — Google reviewRebecca H — Google reviewGreg B — Google review
Tui Brewery (Tui HQ)
Brewery
Food & Drink
Bar
Cafe
Conference center
Event venue
Went to a wedding recently in the flagon room. Right from the start with booking, the venue staff were amazing. The food was simply spectacular. The potato gratin was really the best I've ever had, the ham and salads were brilliant. Atmosphere was great as well.
For any function, this venue should be considered with good parking, and easy access for less able bodied people.
Jodi M — Google review
Really nice venue with lots of grassed areas and shade on a hot day. The iconic Tui tower is looking in dire need of some TLC before it gets condemned. Food was a bit average which is a shame because it's a great spot to visit.
We had a great lunch with friends last weekend. The pub and get quite busy however we were able to get a table upstairs immediately. It’s nice and quiet up there - perfect for catching up. The food was very good - we had two steak sammies, lamb roll, steak and chicken burgers and a chicken salad - almost one of everything on the menu! Service was excellent, with not too much of a wait and the tap beers very good. Being Tui, there are all manner of quirky things on the walls and tucked into corners.
Visited the Flagon Room function venue as part of a large rail excursion group. Front-of-house team worked really hard to cater for a larger group than expected: their efforts are the reason for the second star. Perhaps better event management would have prevented the last-minute surprise.
Around 250-ish people waited in a very slow queue to choose from a single buffet table with one platter/bowl of each dish. Food was listed as 'Kiwiana gourmet'. I'm told the prawn-and-ginger dumplings were mid at best. Nowhere were we asked about dietary needs or allergies. If one of the staff hadn't offered to get the kitchen to prepare me a serve of a different meat, my $45 ticket would seen me eating boiled potatoes and steamed vegies. That extra arrived promptly, and was tender and tasty, but wasn't fully heated through. My double-serve of boiled vegies were cooked to my liking, but very plain & others in our group found them under-done. The aioli zhushed them up nicely, but couldn't disguise how dry and pasty the potato was. It was clear a second serving wasn't on offer.
The other annoyance was the 'free drink' included in the ticket price: the only non-alc option was Coke. I had to pay for a lemonade.
Colour me unimpressed. Friendly, professional and hard-working staff hampered by lousy management and business planning. Definitely not worth what we paid for.
Friendly staff, good choice if seating indoors and out. Well priced tap beer. Pulled pork pizza and fried chicken were quick to be served and good, tasty accompaniments with the beer
A great cafe in an amazing location. Lovely food and the most beautiful surroundings and atmosphere you could wish for. Indoor and outdoor dining.
We spent a Friday evening here and loved it. I think their double cheeseburger is THE PERFECT burger, all great flavours and well put together, not messy!
Amazing hospitality from Tayla, the ultimate bar manager with a wealth of information about the Tui Brewery. She is a national treasure!
Really enjoyed the museum, hilarious history (and stretched-truths)! I'd love to come back and spend an afternoon out in the huge beer garden.
Things have wound down a bit since the epic marketing campaign of the 2000s but Tui HQ is definitely worth visiting, a really special spot.
Can’t miss this classic brewery if you’re in the area! The food is great and the brewery tour is everything you want it to be. Nice garden to walk around with games to play and fun decor in general. If you have the kids with you maybe skip the tour but lots of space for them to run around outside while you’re having a pint.
The store is pretty pricey but has some unique stuff.
15V._. P — Google reviewDonna N — Google reviewHans D — Google reviewIvy S — Google reviewChris C — Google reviewLuis L — Google reviewNeil B — Google review•
The Victoria Esplanade
Mentioned on
Park
Nature & Parks
Gardens
The Victoria Esplanade is a beloved inner city park in Palmerston North, New Zealand, spanning 19 hectares along the Manawatu River. It boasts stunning gardens, bird aviaries, nature trails, and a large duck pond. Visitors can enjoy free barbecue facilities and a children's paddling pool and playgrounds. The park also features an onsite cafe serving delicious treats and drinks. Additionally, there's an extensive miniature railway offering rides on weekends and holidays for a small fee.
Absolutely stunning park with lots of trails for walking/ bike paths.
It would take days to discover everything.
Rose gardens were phenomenal.
Clean & Safe for walking as a woman.
The river ads a nice touch.
Go because you won’t regret it.
Sarah T — Google review
I go there so many times! It’s perfect for picnics. The flowers in spring and summer are so colourful. It brings me a peace of mind! If you take your time to carefully explore the park, you will love it even more. I’d definitely recommend you going there on a nice sunny day for a stroll. There’s also a cafe! Many sitting areas and birds enclosures.
Kids and I had so much fun. We went on the train ride. Visited the well manicured Rose garden. The place was absolutely clean, people were friendly. So much to do at 1 spot. We loved it. Well maintained playground.
Fantastic park worth while going to .
Also great train ride adults and children going through Bush
There's something for everyone here from train rides, nature walk trails, river walkway, beautiful botanical garden, bird sanctuary, birdwatching, picnic spots, lots of shady trees, mini golf and playground. This place is great if you are planning to spend a couple of hours outdoors.
I have visited the Esplanade countless times over the years whenever I am in Palmerston North. This beautiful park has such a variety of trees, flowers, plants and native bush. It’s an absolute delight to stroll along its many pathways and the close proximity to the river only adds to the appeal. Palmy residents and visitors are so fortunate to this beautiful peaceful facility to enjoy at any time of year. 😍
Good quality park. Well maintained. Great for a light walk with your dog.
Worth a stop and wander. Great work from gardening maintenance team at Palmerston North District Council. Wildbase recovery and avairies are a treat to see for free. I enjoyed using my Photography skills for Birds at Wildbase recovery. #palmyproud
4.7
(3255)
4.5
(506)
1 Palm Drive, West End, Palmerston North 4410, New Zealand
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16Eliana C — Google reviewPaul T — Google reviewGreer C — Google reviewPamela — Google reviewLucy T — Google reviewNoel J — Google reviewEranga A — Google review•
Te Manawa Museum
Mentioned on
Art museum
Museums
Te Manawa Museum, located in Palmerston North, has been a cultural center since 1971. It offers a diverse range of exhibits and events that celebrate art, science, and heritage. The museum features contemporary art, social and natural history displays, as well as interactive family activities. Visitors can explore the gallery showcasing captivating photography, paintings, and crafts by both local and international artists. With regularly changing displays alongside permanent exhibits, every visit to Te Manawa is unique.
Super friendly staff. It was free, lots of activities for kids and adults. Really great for family outing.
Recommended Santa Cave.
Lena K — Google review
This place is absolutely fantastic! One of my favorite features is the playground, which is filled with colorful equipment and fun structures. However, it's a bit disappointing that it's designed specifically for younger children—if I could, I would be playing in the dark room and building a brick wall right now! I understand the need for age restrictions to keep the little ones safe and happy, but it still feels a bit limiting. Despite that, the overall atmosphere of the area is vibrant and welcoming, making it a wonderful spot to visit and enjoy the surroundings.
The art museum wasn't exhibiting big collections when I visited, but it was well curated and inspiring
Free entrance, quiet during weekday morning. Highly recommended.
What an eye-opening experience! I learned much about NZ bird populations along with the long-finned eels. I love the diligent work to restore the kiwi! Thank you.
Wonderful amazing place kids loved it were visiting palmerston north was a great edition to just shopping
Great place to take kids, interactive and the playground at end is great. Our kids enjoy stopping here
Excellent (free admission) museum with natural history, educational and outdoor displays worth an explore. Upstairs has the Rugby Museum (paid admission), and special exhibitions. Additionally, there is an art gallery with special exhibitions that change seasonally.
Te Manawa (Māori: The Heart) is a museum, art gallery and science centre in Palmerston North, New Zealand. It is operated by the Te Manawa Museums Trust, a charitable trust incorporated on 20 August 1999. From that date, the Trust assumed responsibility for art works and heritage assets transferred to its care but held on behalf of others.
4.6
(1063)
4.5
(241)
326 Main Street, Palmerston North Central, Palmerston North 4410, New Zealand
17A. C — Google reviewAdam — Google reviewMelissa L — Google reviewJane T — Google reviewMuhammad A — Google reviewLisa P — Google reviewMike T — Google review•
The Alpaca Place
Permanently Closed
Sights & Landmarks
Farm shop
Ranches
The lady giving the tour was incredibly knowledgeable and always answered any questions asked in a way everyone could understand.
The alpacas are fun and were very easy for my 11 year old daughter to walk round with.
Would recommend it to anyone, a must do.
Martyn B — Google review
If you like animals "the alpaca place" is a must. The animal are nice funny and realy soft. The tour take 1h30 m. You can feed alpaca, wolk whit them and discover interesting stories about them. We are realy enjoy the alpaca !
Be sure to book online in advance before visting this great tour of an Alpaca farm.
Liz and Cheryl are very kind and knowledgeable regard the history of the Alpacas.
We got to meet both the male/female Alpacas and their young which are super cute.
The best part was feeding time!
If you like Alpacas in anyway defiantly do this tour😃
My husband and I had a wonderful time on this tour! The alpacas are adorable and the tour was extremely informative - we both felt like this was time and money well spent.
The Alpaca Place is great. Deserves so much more than the 3 google stars. See Trip advisor for a good idea of the sort of experience you will have. Its a fantastic tour. We have gone on to do business with the wonderful women from The Alpaca Place and now own our own Alpaca. We've been very impressed with the service from being straight out tourists, through to potential buyers, and onto a full delivery service of our purchased alpaca which took a full day of their time at a very reasonable price.
Liz gave a very informative and interactive tour for us. It was a great experience as we've never been to an alpaca farm before. We got to feed and pet the alpacas while understanding quite an extensive history on the cute animal, normally confused with its relative, llama. It's a recommended place to go.
Thanks for the great tour Liz and Sheryl, thoroughly enjoyed it, Ella loved your 'awesome alpacas', so disappointed I didn't buy her one. Highly recommend, especially for kids, my ten year old adored it. So much knowledge about alpacas, their history and industry.
This was so much fun and informative. We got to walk alpacas and hug them and learn all about them, a really cool day out
4.4
(34)
4.5
(261)
365 Bluff Rangitumau Road, Masterton 5871, New Zealand
18Korie — Google reviewKelvin T — Google reviewFelipe F — Google reviewTeAtarangi M — Google reviewPsyckers D — Google reviewLestine C — Google reviewKiri C — Google review•
Owlcatraz Native Bird and Wildlife Park
Permanently Closed
Nature preserve
Nature & Parks
Bird watching area
Wildlife park
Nature & Wildlife Areas
$25 for the animals, $30 if you include the glow worm cave. A fantastic experience, the staff is incredibly friendly and knowledgeable and it's a great chance to see native NZ owls up close. Absolutely worth the visit!
Scott M — Google review
An 11 out 0f 10 experience! a must if you are ever in or passing Shannon. The glow worms are awesome and fascinating. Ross and his staff have really out done themselves A+
Exceeded expectations. I expected a small place but there was enough to do and see to occupy a few hours. Good variety of animals and perfect for families with young children
It was way too expensive for what it has to offer. The guide tour is short and shows only plants and a few owls.
The picnic area was nice. There's a pony, peacocks and guinea pigs.
We are new to this area so going to owlcatraz was such a great experience was a little different to most animal attraction getting greating by staff but all in all was really good tour guides were fantastic great for the children as my nephew loved the fact he could fead the animals 👍
Fantastic place with plenty to see. All the animals are friendly including the eels. Staff are amazing and do the group tours professionally and are amazing with the children.
Certainly recommend the guided tour, even with children. It is great value for money.
Amazing, friendly staff. Janette and her staff offer a fantastic opportunity of a life time which is to be able to walk through the Ruru (Morepork) enclosure with nothing between you and the magnificent birds. The Farm yard friends are so cute. Thanks again 🙂
Fabulous service, wonderful people and very interesting facts and stories on the tour. Recommend!
4.4
(151)
4.0
(97)
44 Margaret Street, Shannon 4821, New Zealand
19Shelley S — Google reviewHelen W — Google reviewCelia W — Google reviewNêssa M — Google reviewCatherine Z — Google reviewDonna M — Google reviewJo V — Google review•
Stonehenge Aotearoa
Museums
Historical landmark
Observatory
Tour agency
Educational sites
Observatories & Planetariums
Very interesting place in a beautiful location. A great deal of thought has gone into this site and there is a genuine care for astronomical accuracy and acoustic design. Definitely worth a visit and the lady at the visitor's centre gave a very interesting introduction to complement the video presentation you can watch before going on the stone circle.
Bernard S — Google review
A unique experience. Listening to the recorded video is a must to get the most out of your visit.
You can have some fun playing with the sound and rechecking your birth star sign
Very reasonable entry fee
This is fascinating example of bringing a dream into reality. It’s a very cleverly thought out & well-delivered astronomical construction. If you’re interested in the stars & their story, it’s worth a visit.
Richard and Kay are so knowledgeable and shared fascinating facts about the stars. Great viewing too.
I am even more curious now about astronomy! What a pleasant stop. I didn’t know about it , we were just passing by and have seen a brown tourist sign. Recommend it. I wish I could go back there in many events, like a guided tour, at night time, and run a video/photo drone also would have been amazing. I am really keen to go back in other events. Imagine it in a wedding party? What an energy!!
It will be nicer if you know about astronomy but unfortunately I am not good at it so for us it's just a peaceful scenic with sound effect due to the stone structure. It was a very beautiful view and the windy bring it more peace to your ear along with a farming surrounded.Ticket price is reasonable.
We went on an sunset tour. I learnt a lot about why Stonehenge exist and from my perspective it was a great nature/ science experience. The drive to get there was interesting too- nature scapes are fascinating. Check out their events- they sound great...if I'm ever back there I'd go to one of them.
Travelling solo, paid $15 to enter. I expected a walk down away from buildings, maybe in the middle of a paddock BUT it's a garden display in their backyard!!!
Yes it has cool qualities and makes sounds echo and is built to specifics measurements etc but at the price paid to enter is simply disappointing.
Maybe if it was $10 they would attract better ratings and more visitors.
Was also some horrible thing on the ground surrounded by mesh fencing, inside the circle, showing the zodiacs totally taking away from the ambiance even more then the buildings etc.... lost a star for whatever that was
3.9
(487)
4.0
(138)
51 Ahiaruhe Road, Ahiaruhe 5792, New Zealand
20Angel P — Google reviewBhawana J — Google reviewNadine N — Google reviewYY X — Google reviewJamie F — Google reviewZac Z — Google reviewMark D — Google review•
Levin Adventure Park
Park
Nature & Parks
Playgrounds
Amazing park. Brilliant for children. The park has everything that you need from flying foxes, swings, slides, everything. Perfect place to stop if you are out and about on a road trip or just running chores around town with the kids. Amazing park and a must go if you have children.
Benjamin O — Google review
Like one of the best parks ever 😍🥳🤘
Me and my three daughters always stop in for park play when traveling down from Auckland too catch the ferry too Picton or when getting off the boat too travel back home, I always say that I wish they had this park in Auckland lol it's beautiful, colorful, so many options and there's separate age group objects suitable for the babies and ages going up 😊 the entire park is amazing, it's drawing and the primary too intermediate age group objects are super cool too
Amazing place withs lots of play options for all ages . This have picnic area dog are and community kitchen . We had amazing day here today . Thanks
Great place to stop during road trips. Kids get to stretch their legs, play basketball, swings, slides, you name it, they have it. Adults can purchase coffee (ice coffee was amazing)
Toilets lovely and clean.
Great place for a picnic for families, kids and dogs.All are fenced and can be freed with hands.
Excellent for a stop off for the kids. Easy parking and open the back doors and watch that pent uo energy get quickly spent. Get em to run when they pull up the flying fox to the start, thatll wear em out for the next leg of your trip!!
Great for kids playground and can book for birthdays with toilet facilities. Have events for family in the weekend with plenty of space and korhanga. Shopping across the road in the main street. Pity the small 🚂 rides weren't working.
Using Google Maps to remember my home town 20 years ago as a child, as a Brit, who eventually went back. The adventure park was brilliant then and is more or less the same as it is now. Epic way for a kid to grow up, I can confirm the memory stays with you forever.
4.7
(2330)
5.0
(121)
93 Oxford Street, Levin 5510, New Zealand
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21MJ W — Google reviewCraig G — Google reviewAmy R — Google reviewDebbie G — Google reviewAmy M — Google reviewDaniel E — Google reviewMon T — Google review•
Poppies Martinborough
Mentioned on
Winery
Restaurant
Poppies Martinborough is a peaceful retreat located in the heart of Martinborough, within walking distance to several vineyards and wineries. The accommodation offers quiet and comfortable rooms, perfect for relaxing after a day of exploration. Guests can enjoy their own liquid treasures while watching the sunset from the bistro table out back.
Love Poppies!! Its our second time visiting poppies and it did not disappoint!! $15pp for wine tasting and you'll be reimbursed if you purchase some wine 🍷 The food platters are super delicious which I highly recommend getting on any visit! All the staff are friendly and knowledgeable.
Sharon F — Google review
Poppies is divine in every way, an absolute MUST to visit. The sharing platter was beautifully curated, and the wine and tastings were exceptional. The staff here are a credit to this winery. Everyone is super friendly and knowledgeable. A perfect spot for a relaxed, gourmet experience.
We came to poppies about 8 years ago and it was fantastic. We came back this weekend. It was spectacular. The food, delightful, the ambiance was perfect, the staff so helpful, friendly and knowledgeable. Looking forward to coming back soon.
Another great winery! Wines were a bit pricier than the last place (Moy Hall) but the service from the young guy at cellar door was exceptional. We stayed for lunch and had a platter plus bread and it was so tasty! I've never seen my husband so satisfied. It was great value and fed two adults and two children. Beautiful grounds too. Highly recommend.
Great service, advice and flavours of food and wine. Brent was well informed and interactive with the wine tasting - Sam was attentive as a waiter. Well worth a visiting Poppies in Martinborough. Highly recommended. Amazing day in the NZ sunshine!
We had a lovely visit here for a tasting. We very much enjoyed the wines (especially the rosé) along with the descriptions and atmosphere. Nothing pretentious about the vibe, just friendly and comfortable.
We had lunch on a beautiful sunny Monday. Platter for two was very bougie and the wine tasting was a great experience. Rose and Pinot Gris were the stand outs for me. Sam was exceptional and Ella provided top service.
Must try for all wine lovers 🍷
We were lucky to be there on a sunny day in January .
Good place to Take a stroll @the vineyard ,click some good photos and enjoy your day with friends & whanau 🧑🧑🧒🧒
4.8
(481)
4.7
(569)
91 Puruatanga Road, Martinborough 5711, New Zealand
22Sarah K — Google reviewL S — Google reviewKhin M — Google reviewJusenn C — Google reviewJoanne L — Google reviewAbhishek ( — Google reviewAnton A — Google review•
Staglands Wildlife Reserve & Café
Mentioned on
Wildlife park
Nature & Parks
Staglands Wildlife Reserve & Café is a charming animal farm and petting zoo nestled in the picturesque Akatarawa Valley. Visitors can enjoy tractor rides, feed the wildlife, and explore the natural beauty of the surroundings. The reserve offers a delightful opportunity for both adults and children to interact with friendly animals in a well-maintained environment. While some find the café's offerings satisfactory, others appreciate its rustic charm.
I love this place. Not much animal but the interaction and environment is beautiful. My family enjoyed it. They have a lot of birds. The tractor ride is cool, feels like back home. There is heaps of parking space, animal food is monitored so if you get there late you won't be able to get the food as the animals are already full. Be careful it might be slippery if it got wet. It will be better to go there with your picnic basket and enjoy the time. We went there for just two hours and it is not enough😁
Elna B — Google review
A Wonderful Family Day Out at Staglands!
We had an amazing time at Staglands – it's such a cool spot for a family adventure. From the moment we arrived, it was clear the staff really care about both the animals and the visitors. They were friendly, helpful, and created a warm, welcoming atmosphere.
One of the highlights was the fire pit where we got to roast marshmallows – a simple but magical touch that the kids absolutely loved. The café was another pleasant surprise: delicious food and great coffee made it a perfect stop to refuel.
The only downside is the road getting there – it’s a bit rough and winding, so take your time. But honestly, the drive is worth it for the experience that awaits at the end. Staglands is a gem, and we’ll definitely be back!
Great place for families and friends to go to! So many cute animals! Lovely walk as well, took us about 2 hours to complete since we stopped to greet all the animals
Only issue I had was not even Staglands' fault, there were lots of kids I saw chasing after animals and touching them when they clearly didn't want to be touched like seriously??
I’ve visited Staglands twice, and both visits have been fantastic! The reserve is beautifully maintained, with lovely bush walks and plenty of animals to see. The café is a perfect spot to relax with delicious food. My child especially loves feeding the animals and cuddling the rabbits. Between the wildlife, the scenery, and the peaceful atmosphere, it’s the perfect day out. Can’t wait for our third visit!
We went to the place last Mother's day, it was such a fun and memorable experience. The weather was perfect, and we got to see so many amazing animals up close. Walking through the different exhibits. We fed them and took some great photos. It was a day filled with laughter, discovery, and great memories.
Staglands Wildlife Reserve & Café is an absolute hidden gem in Upper Hutt, offering the perfect blend of tranquility, animal encounters, and Kiwi hospitality. We arrived quite late in the afternoon but even with limited hours, the experience was magical. The family-friendly atmosphere is undeniable peaceful pathways winding through native bush, friendly farm animals (goats, deer etc
) eager for gentle pats, and beautifully maintained aviaries.
Though the main café was closing, the self-check-out process was incredibly smooth and hassle-free. This thoughtful touch meant we didn’t feel rushed and could still soak in the final moments of serenity. What truly warmed our hearts, however, was meeting the owner.Their genuine kindness and passion for Staglands shone through in just a brief chat. We made a promise right then to return for a full day trip and we absolutely intend to keep it!
First visit to Staglands on Father’s Day with family. A beautiful spot to spend the day together. Parking was a bit tricky at first, but everything else was fantastic. The winding road is worth it for the stunning views. A must-visit!
This was an excellent experience for all ages. Anyone from young kids to adults will enjoy walking around. They have a variety of animals from sheep to goats and emus to interact with. There are also a number of very curious birds. You can buy bags of feed for $3.50. It is well worth it.
4.7
(2108)
4.5
(659)
2362 Akatarawa Road, Akatarawa Valley, Upper Hutt 5372, New Zealand
23Samundra R — Google reviewNeil F — Google reviewWade N — Google reviewSkyla K — Google reviewLord G — Google reviewMariana V — Google reviewAnson A — Google review•
Southward Car Museum
Mentioned on
Museum
Specialty Museums
The Southward Car Museum is a treasure trove for automotive enthusiasts and history lovers alike, showcasing an extensive collection of over 400 classic cars and motorcycles that span from the 1800s to modern times.
A real look back at the automotive history, when vehicles had such individual looks, even a total copper body vehicle. Motorbikes, planes, but mostly cars.
Also a cafe, huge parking area and a great feel about the place , so well maintained.
Roger B — Google review
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I had the absolute pleasure of visiting the Southward Car Museum in Paraparaumu, and I must say, it exceeded all expectations. From the moment I stepped through the doors, I was struck with awe at the sheer size, scale, and beauty of the collection. It truly felt like walking through a living timeline of automotive history.
The museum houses an extraordinary variety of vehicles—ranging from some of the earliest models that shaped the beginnings of motoring, through to iconic classics, racing legends, luxury cars, and even rare motorcycles. Each piece is immaculately preserved and displayed with care, and I was amazed at how close you could get to these works of engineering art. You don’t just see cars; you experience the innovation, stories, and history behind them.
What impressed me further was the thoughtful way the museum is organized. Every turn revealed something unique, whether it was a vintage Rolls Royce, a finely detailed American classic, or a quirky car with a fascinating backstory. There is a sense of wonder at every corner. The sheer diversity of the collection makes it enjoyable not only for car enthusiasts but also for anyone who appreciates history, craftsmanship, and culture.
The museum itself is spacious, well-lit, and easy to navigate. Staff members were welcoming, knowledgeable, and clearly passionate about the collection, adding even more richness to the visit. It’s not just a car museum—it’s a celebration of human creativity and progress.
Southward Car Museum is a true treasure of New Zealand. I left feeling inspired and amazed, and I would highly recommend it to anyone—locals, tourists, families, or solo travelers. It is more than worth the visit.
Absolutely incredible collection and well worth the visit. We had the place to ourselves on a weekday morning. Took our time to look at both floors and the mezzanine. The place is awesome. The staff are friendly and knowledgeable.
We had a great day at southwards today. So much to see and all the new interactive stations were so informative and entertaining. I last visited over 12 years ago and the manager remembered my visit (for all the right reasons) and his team were very welcoming and helpful. The new additions to the fleet were great to see also.
We had fun learning about Lens life and his adventures.
What an amazing place to go. So clean and tidy. Amazing presentation and display of our automobile history. An amazing job and story from Sir Len and Lady Vera. The legacy lives on today. I would highly recommend.
Awesome place to visit, been here many times ever since I was a kid, now in my 50s. The one thing I'm not happy about though, is the fact that quite a few of the cars & motorbikes that are there, are ones I grew up with, LOL! I must be getting old!
Fun for the family especially on a rainy day, so many cool cars to see, and stories about them and the founder.
Great place for someone who want to have a slice of vintage cars.. and the beauties
4.7
(1802)
4.7
(448)
Otaihanga Road, Otaihanga 5036, New Zealand
24
Pinnacles Track
Outdoor Activities
Geologic Formations
Hiking Trails
Pinnacles Track is a unique hiking trail in New Zealand, featuring massive stone pillars that stand out from the surrounding rocky terrain. Shaped by a stream over thousands of years, these imposing rock formations offer a one-of-a-kind experience for hikers exploring the North Island. The Reserve offers three distinct routes for visitors to explore, making it an ideal destination for hiking enthusiasts looking to immerse themselves in natural beauty and geological wonders.
4.6
(189)
Wellington Region 5772, New Zealand
25J-Ho C — Google reviewJT — Google reviewAlexander W — Google reviewNico B — Google reviewPia P — Google reviewAndreas A — Google reviewNicola H — Google review•
Wellington
Mentioned on
Ferry terminal
Transportation
Ferries
Wellington's ferry terminal is a bustling hub, so it's wise to arrive early to secure a seat or a good spot in line for the ferry. There are plenty of food options on board, including breakfast and lunch in the lounge. The staff are friendly and efficient, ensuring easy boarding for both passengers and vehicles. The journey from Picton to Wellington offers pristine sights from the upper viewing deck, with clean amenities and comfortable seating throughout the vessel.
It is a beautiful and charming city with a casual and relaxed vibe. Beaches, gardens, and scenery with a vibrant restaurant, cafe, and pub culture.
David W — Google review
#NZ 04 2024 FamilyTrip#
A good experience, used ferry to crossover from North island to South island. All workers and procedure runs well, everything well managed. Just follow the instruction when booked online.
There are meals inside ferry.
Can choose & pay according to own choices. Else, just sit at any seat provided.
Just.. Toilet not well maintained.
Need to have cleaner & fix faulty doors.
Easy boarding with a vehicle to head to the South Island . Staff are exceptionally trained , very efficient & friendly.
The ferry departed on time and arrived at the Picton terminal precisely on schedule .
Amenities and restaurants were clean throughout the vessel . Seating ample & very comfortable.
I spent a fair bit of the trip on the upper viewing deck & thoroughly enjoyed the pristine sights along this remarkable trip.
Highly recommended for great service & reasonably priced value .
Brilliant service and an excellent way to enjoy the trip across the straight while taking in some of NZ's best scenery. Booking the plus lounge is worth every dollar.
It is pricy but on a good day you get spectacular views on the sands. People and staff was friendly and professional. You wait a little between check-in and being loaded on the ship. Don’t come too early, if you are there by check-in time or a little before it is absolutely fine.
Relax and enjoy. I was surprised that prices for e.g. coffee on board were rather reasonable.
Ferry was on time and everything went smooth - we can recommend it.
Nice and very helpful and friendly staff. They took us all though we came too later and all gates have been closed already!! Thank you interislander company for this treat, we appriciated it very much! Awesome view especially in the sounds- lots of dolphins around that day. Quietly atmosphere on the boat (sitting and food area) and super helpful interaction on the boat while our cruise. Warm meals available! Thank you for a awesome nice very warm hearted kiwi experience!
Our experience at the terminal and the ferry itself was quite pleasant. Fast and efficient service and a large selection of food and driks.
When travelling from Wellington to Picton on the water you’ll love the old school style and convenience of the MV Kaitaki. This is a roll-on/roll-off ferry built in 1995.
It has a great covered in viewing area and good bar with plenty of PowerPoints for working on your lap top.
A simple but well prepared menu and super well trained staff make this a really enjoyable trip. Relax and enjoy.
4.1
(273)
4.2
(4570)
Wellington Ferry Terminal, 1 Aotea Quay, Pipitea, Wellington 6011, New Zealand
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26Karthik V — Google reviewSwapna R — Google reviewFrancesandfrancis — Google reviewNicky H — Google reviewCoco F — Google reviewKevin N — Google reviewRiccardo R — Google review•
Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa
Mentioned on
Museum
Specialty Museums
The Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa is a must-visit attraction in Wellington, offering free admission to its extensive collection. This national museum showcases natural history, cultural exhibits, and fine arts across six levels. Visitors can explore interactive displays and national treasures, including indigenous Maori exhibitions and the national art collection. Notable attractions include a colossal squid specimen and an earthquake simulator.
We had one day in Wellington and the weather was gorgeous so I wasn’t particularly keen on spending time indoors at a museum. We do love museums though so we thought we’d check it out and I’m so glad we did. The gallipoli exhibit was the best that I’ve seen, it’s something that should not be missed. The exhibit has been done in conjunction with Weta Workshop who did Lord of the Rings. Amazing doesn’t even cover it.
The entire museum is quite interactive with a lot of interesting things for both kids and adults.
A visit to this museum should not be missed
Natasha R — Google review
Great experience. The strong point of this museum is their story telling ability. The Anzac war effort in Turkey has been so well exhibited. One of my favourite museums. Highly recommended.
I had an absolutely fantastic time visiting the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa in Wellington! The war exhibition was incredibly moving and well-curated, offering deep insights into New Zealand’s military history with engaging displays and detailed narratives. The nature exhibition was equally impressive, showcasing the country’s unique biodiversity in a way that was both educational and visually stunning. I particularly enjoyed learning about the Māori way of living, which was presented with respect and authenticity, providing a rich understanding of their culture, traditions, and history. Overall, the museum is a treasure trove of knowledge, beautifully blending interactive exhibits with informative content. Highly recommend it to anyone visiting Wellington!
If you love museums and history, this is an absolute must-visit when you’re in Wellington, New Zealand. The museum offers an impressive collection showcasing New Zealand’s natural history, from its unique plants and animals to fascinating exhibits on the country’s connection with earthquakes and volcanoes.
One of the highlights is the earthquake simulator, which gives you a firsthand experience of what an actual earthquake feels like — both educational and memorable. Before you leave, make sure to head up to the roof deck for a beautiful view of the Wellington Harbour and parts of the CBD.
A well-curated and engaging museum that’s perfect for visitors of all ages — a great way to learn more about New Zealand’s unique environment and heritage.
Best musuem I have ever been to. It was stunning. All the information and hands on parts were so cool. We went to the main floor to kill some time before our check in and were blown away by how interesting everything was. Went back the next day (tickets are good for 48hrs) and went through the rest. While we were there, the Gallipoli exhibition was on display. I was blown away by the detail in the large sculptures. This musuem was a great way to end our trip to the north island. A beautiful place and we learned so much. Thank you
Wonderful National Museum. The exhibits are some of the best, very realistic and well maintained. The cultural section of the museum showcased the impressive skills and history of The Maori. The Gallipoli exhibit was informative and captured battles and wartime conditions in an accurate, thoughtful manner. This museum is one of the best we've had the pleasure of visiting. Well worth the trip.
A great place to learn about the history of New Zealand. Exhibits were thoughtfully laid out and well presented. The Gallipoli war exhibit had some very realistic, larger than scale figures that depict the emotions and agony during wartime. They have lockers for rent to store your bag. I thought 2 hours would be enough time to see everything, but ended up taking 3.5 hours going at a steady pace. I learned so much about New Zealand.
One of the things that impressed us most about New Zealand is the incredible attention to detail in organising everything a visitor might encounter — and the museums are no exception. Te Papa is an essential experience for anyone passing through Wellington. It doesn’t just tell the socio-cultural history of the country, but also its natural history, local fauna and flora, with numerous interactive installations. What I love most is when a museum literally “puts things in your hands” — artefacts, objects, faithful reproductions — so you can truly understand what you’re looking at instead of just seeing items behind glass.
We really appreciated the floor dedicated to climate change and the country’s geothermal and seismic evolution, as well as the floor focused on social issues, cultural globalisation, and social inclusion.
4.7
(25144)
4.7
(14421)
55 Cable Street, Te Aro, Wellington 6011, New Zealand
27
Mount Victoria
Mentioned on
Sights & Landmarks
Lookouts
Mount Victoria is a suburb in central Wellington, New Zealand, named after the 196-meter hill to the east. The residential area is situated on its north-western slopes. It offers stunning panoramic views of Wellington city, the harbor, and Cook Strait. There are various tracks for hiking and mountain biking that lead up and around Mount Vic, with a lookout track leading to the top for breathtaking views of the entire city.
4.6
(3049)
Wellington, New Zealand
28S V — Google reviewFrancesandfrancis — Google reviewNadia S — Google reviewCatherine A — Google reviewCohen S — Google reviewDranod — Google reviewPamela J — Google review•
Wellington Cable Car
Mentioned on
Transportation service
Transportation
The Wellington Cable Car, the only operating funicular in New Zealand, has been in service since 1902. It provides stunning panoramic views of the city and offers a visit to the historic museum. A must-visit attraction is Te Papa, an interactive national museum showcasing the stories of Aotearoa New Zealand. After riding the iconic cable car, visitors can enjoy breathtaking city views while indulging in ice cream at the top.
An Absolute Wellington Essential Iconic Views & Easy Access!
No trip to Wellington is complete without riding the iconic Cable Car! It’s a charming, efficient, and quintessential Wellington experience that delivered exactly what we hoped for: stunning views and seamless access to the Botanic Garden.
The journey itself is delightful. Boarding at the historic Lambton Quay station (easy to find!), the bright red car smoothly ascends through the cool hillside tunnel before bursting out to reveal breathtaking panoramic views over the city, harbour, and surrounding hills. It’s a short ride (approx. 5 minutes), but the vistas unfolding as you climb are genuinely special. We loved spotting landmarks like the Beehive and Te Papa from above. Great photo ops throughout!
The top station is more than just a viewpoint. It houses a small but interesting Cable Car Museum(free entry!) detailing the history, which we enjoyed. The real bonus? You step out directly into the stunning Wellington Botanic Garden.It’s the perfect starting point for exploring the lush trails, Lady Norwood Rose Garden, Peace Garden, and Space Place observatory (tickets required). You can easily spend hours wandering down.
Key Tips for Visitors:
Frequency:Runs every 10 minutes, very reliable. Check latest times online.
Tickets:Use the Snapper card (common on Wellington buses) for the cheapest fare, or buy a single/return ticket at the station. Consider a combo ticket with Space Place if interested.
Best Seats: For the best views downhill, try to get a forward-facing window seat.
All-Weather Fun:A perfect activity even on wet or windy Wellington days (it's covered!).
Walking Back:Many people ride up and enjoy a scenic walk down through the gardens highly recommended!
Accessibility: Modern cars and stations are wheelchair accessible.
The Wellington Cable Car is efficient, scenic, historically charming, and the perfect gateway to the beautiful Botanic Garden. It offers incredible value and iconic views packed into a short, enjoyable ride. Whether you're a first-time visitor or a local showing friends around, it's an absolute must-do and earns its status as a top attraction. 5 stars! A highlight of our Wellington visit.
Joanne L — Google review
It is a funicular railway in Wellington, New Zealand between Lambton Quay, the main shopping street in the central city, and Kelburn, a suburb in the hills overlooking the central city and Wellington Harbour. The cable car route rises 120 m over a length of 609 m. The trip takes about 5 minutes each way and is a very popular ride and place at the top, lots of tourists and locals. You can get to the summit by car or public transport as well. Plenty of free parking available at the summit. Toilets available at summit and base. Cafes and restaurants available. At the top you can visit the cable car museum, botanic gardens. Lots of people here, careful with personal belongings. Easy terrain, lot of easy walking. Wear comfy shoes, take water, wear hat, sunscreen. Beautiful place. Lots to see. Lovely place for picnic. Great place for photography. You can also walk down safe tracks from the summit to the city terminal like we did. Cable car fees payable.
This local cable car is a historic Wellington icon and a must-try experience when visiting the city. It not only takes you to the entrance of the Wellington Botanic Garden, but also offers a beautiful scenic view of the city as you ride uphill.
At the top, you’ll find a viewing deck with fantastic city panoramas, the Cable Car Museum, and a café that serves great coffee — a perfect spot to relax and take in the view.
For a return fare of just $10 NZD, it’s an affordable and enjoyable way to experience one of Wellington’s classic attractions. Highly recommended for both locals and tourists exploring the city!
Very cool - right in the middle of the city (Lambton Quay shopping and business area - CBD). The entrance to the ticket booth is tucked into an alleyway. I came upon it unexpectedly whilst walking around . Runs every 10 minutes. Lovely views on the ride up with commentary.
Nice little coffee shop at the top. Had a delicious cappuccino and a tasty treat. Enjoyed the great views. I decided to walk back down through the botanical gardens on well laid, paved paths passing through clearly marked gardens. Highly recommend. Marvelous children's playground along the way.
I saw signs while at the top for the observatory but didn't have enough time to check it out.
I recommend to buying a one way going up as it's very easy and simple to purchase your return if you decide to ride down instead of walk down.
Give this delightful adventure time, don't be in a hurry. There's also a public bus at the top of you want to go elsewhere.
It was a shite day weather wise but who cares when you have such a lovely visual experience going through the tunnel. The views were spectacular from the top. Beloved the museum/shop also.
Staff might want to smile and be a little friendly. 😃
Always a great ride on the cable. Friendly team and easy to navigate the station.
I went recently to specifically see the winding room in action as they were doing an open day was really cool to see and learn how it works from the team who look after and drive the cars.
A typically wet and cool day, the gardens are a stop I'll be back for.
The museum and food well worth the stop. Keep an eye out for pickpockets, nearly broke the toes of a dude trying to steal my gopro. They operate in pairs/groups. Only place in my entire trip I ran into this.
Great smooth ride to the top.You can get off and walk around the little township. Cafe near the cable car is great. The museum of the historic the cable car was fantastic.
4.5
(6909)
4.3
(6724)
280 Lambton Quay, Wellington Central, Wellington 6011, New Zealand
29Nesh K — Google reviewKarthik V — Google reviewAlfredo — Google reviewSajeev T — Google reviewBernard S — Google reviewNicky H — Google reviewCornelius B — Google review•
Wellington Botanic Garden
Mentioned on
Botanical garden
Nature & Parks
Gardens
Wellington Botanic Garden, established in 1868, spans 61 acres and offers a variety of attractions for visitors. It features native bush, a tropical greenhouse, seasonal beds, and colorful floral displays. The garden provides numerous walking routes suitable for families or solo explorers seeking a peaceful retreat from the city.
Beautiful botanical gardens. You can get up there using the cable car, which is very nice and has a nice view. Many birds to spot as well, blackbirds, Tūī, Kākā, and other small birds as well
Gabriel T — Google review
It is a beautiful and peaceful spot in the heart of the city. It has lovely walking paths, themed gardens like the Rose Garden and Begonia House, and great views from the Cable Car. Free entry, family-friendly, and perfect for nature lovers.
Outstanding garden with really beautiful flowers. The walkways are clean and easily accessible.
Many of the flowers are from the Southern Hemisphere and so for visitors from the rest of the world, it's a really unique experience.
Special mention for the bees and birds who aren't really that afraid of humans.
A must visit of you love flowers.
A sunny day took us to the top of the hill by cable car for the second time in two days. Besides the beautiful view of the city and the bay, the gardens offer the opportunity to stroll and relax in an environment where nature predominates. Plants unique to this country, such as kauri, and flowers of many types are also present. The little ones also have the opportunity to learn the names of some plants, such as the aromatic ones used in cooking. The rose garden is a sight to behold. The pond with its waterfall and a few ducks is also lovely. Not to be missed. Free access.
Very beautiful botanic gardens with bright flowers, colourful and interesting trees. The gardens have nice walking trails with many areas of interests, like the Duck Pond, Rose Gardens etc. Some of the trees are very beautiful (and probably exotic). Many flowers were in bloom during the visit and we could spot many butterflies. Need about half day to explore the place. Combine with a visit to the cable car at one side of the botanic garden.
With its connection to Te Ahumeranga hill and beyond, the Botanic Garden is like a lung situated right next foor to Wellingtons Central Business District and it's main arterial highway. There are a good number of activities in the park ranging from the Cable Car connecting to Lambton Quay the Cable Car Museum a scenic café a collection of observatories including the Space Place all the way to the Rose Garden and childrens' play areas. On a sunny day it is a delight to stroll here.
What a beautiful place to walk around. We were short on time and the day we went was the nicest of the days we had in Wellington. We did not get to see everything but what we did see was stunning. The amount of beauty was amazing. The flow of plants is perfect. I do wish to go back and see more. So much to enjoy
Always well worth a visit when going to
Wellington, especially taking the cable cart up and then walking down back to the CBD. The rose garden is a must see but not in bloom yet at thus time of year (spring).
4.6
(9993)
4.5
(3714)
101 Glenmore Street, Kelburn, Wellington 6012, New Zealand
30Adam B — Google reviewHariklia N — Google reviewSwantje V — Google reviewElisabeth B — Google reviewAdam C — Google reviewBen C — Google reviewDonna L — Google review•
Zealandia Te Māra a Tāne
Mentioned on
Wildlife refuge
Nature & Parks
Nature & Wildlife Areas
Zealandia Te Māra a Tāne is an extraordinary wildlife sanctuary located just a short drive from Wellington's bustling city center. This eco-park spans 225 hectares of lush, regenerating forest and serves as a haven for native species, including rare birds, lizards, frogs, and unique plant life.
If every city and every town had something like this, it would be a better place. Wonderful immersion in the true nature of a place. The song, the scent. The plants, the birds, the endemic species and the protection and value of them. Well done Wellington. Spectacular. - this is what real progress looks like. - and the locals love it so much that there are hundreds of volunteers. - our guide Paula was one of them. She made the walk even more fascinating and was very knowledgeable.
Suzie D — Google review
We joined the After Dark Tour at Zealandia, hoping to spot a kiwi in the wild — and we quickly learned that “wild” really means wild here.
The tour was really well organized, there was one guide for a group of 12 people (plus a volunteer assistant), and everyone got a small communication device to hear the guide clearly, along with a red-light torch to avoid disturbing the wildlife. The walk itself lasted around two hours, and once it got completely dark, it truly felt like an adventure in the forest.
Of course, with group tours, you always depend on the people you’re with — sometimes that can affect the overall experience — but our guide Emily and volunteer Allison were both fantastic. They were knowledgeable, passionate, and genuinely cared about what they do. Huge thanks and respect to them and to everyone working or volunteering at Zealandia — what they’re doing here is amazing.
As for the wildlife, we knew from the start that seeing a kiwi (or anything at all) would be a matter of luck, and that’s exactly how it went. We heard a few kiwis calling in the distance, and right at the very end — just when I had stopped expecting it — the group spotted one! Unfortunately, I only caught a glimpse for less than a second (typical, right?). We also saw a Ruru owl, which is apparently quite rare, a tiny Hamilton’s frog, and a couple of Tuatara — real “living fossils.” Other than that, most of the birds we saw were ones we’d already come across during our travels in New Zealand.
Overall, it was a unique and well-run experience, but I have to admit I left feeling just a little underwhelmed — maybe just a bit bitter about not seeing more of the kiwi. Objectively though, the team did everything they could, and the unpredictability is part of what makes it authentic. Still, even as a non-profit experience, the $120 per person felt a bit steep for what it was.
An incredible and peaceful walk through nature. Exploring the eco sanctuary at dusk felt magical the sounds, the birds, and the beautiful surroundings made it such a memorable evening. We did the tour call Zealandia by Twilight. Learning about Zealandia’s mission to restore Wellington’s wildlife and bring native species back to the region made the experience even more meaningful. Our guide Sofia was amazing and knowledgeable and everything felt so calm and special. We even ended the night with a cup of delicious kawakawa tea the perfect way to wrap up the evening.
We did the evening tour at Zealandia with Emily being our guide and Claire as a spotter. It was amazing! Emily had such a wonderful energy, you could tell she really enjoyed what she was doing and Claire was just the best spotter! We learnt a lot about the history of the sanctuary, saw lots of different birds (even a kiwi! Yay lucky us!) and some more wonderful animals (don’t wanna spoil too much). And we had the chance to come back for free the next day, which was really cool, to explore the sanctuary during the day time and go find some more of its inhabitants.
Would totally recommend!
A great park with several hiking paths and lots of birds! A great place to get away from the city and enjoy listening and seeing birds. This is an old water catchment area turned into a wildlife sanctuary. It is surrounded by a tight fence to prevent (non-native) mice, possums, cats, weasels, etc from entering, so that native birds can flourish here. We saw and heard lots of blackbirds, tui, and kaka. There is also an area where tuatara can be spotted. Good visitor center at the gate with maps and souvenirs.
I love this place and have visited numerous times whilst I'm back home in NZ.
We are so incredibly lucky to have Zealandia on the outskirts of the city, with walks to suit all fitness levels, around the lake, into the bush, up hills etc.
And best of all Zealandia gives you the opportunity to see a vast range of New Zealand birds, some very rare, and even Tuatara sunbathing on the rocks on a nice sunny day.
I highly recommend a visit for both Wellingtonians and visitors to Wellington alike. 🐦
Done really well. Great walking paths expecially round the lake and suspension bridge.
A bird watcher dream
Saw a few birds and the walk was nice.
Worth the cost (maybe to help the conservation effort but spenny park where yiu aren't garenteed to see the wildlife).
Did see somthing out of the ordinary.
The inital walk was tranquil, then we spotted seven butter-yellow ducklings resting nestled in the grass and undergrowth near the water's edge, close to their mother duck. This peace shattered when a huge, iridescent drake landed violently on the bank, driven by a blind, primal urge to dominate. The mother duck instantly turned into a whirling fury of feathers, fighting for her life and the lives of her brood, but the drake was relentless. In a fit of frustrated aggression on the dry bank, he struck one chick, flinging it high into the air, and violently drove another one deep into the dense undergrowth.
Realising she couldn't fight the brute and protect the scattered ducklings, she made a desperate calculation. She beat her wings hard, launching herself into the air with a loud, distracting cry, flying low and fast toward the opposite bank. She carried the drake’s immediate focus with her, allowing the remaining ducklings to dive and dart into the safety of the thick sedge.
Landing raggedly on the far shore, the mother duck waited, watching the monstrous drake finally lose interest. Slowly, over the next agonising minutes, all seven tiny forms emerged from the reeds and waddled across the open water to wait there, but the brutal price of the wild had been paid. Great park for more wild wildlife.
Had no idea this would be so good. The best part was the wetland walk where we encountered so many types of birds. Loved the kaka feeding at 2.15. All I wanted to see was a tuatara and I saw at least 10!
4.7
(5767)
4.6
(2984)
53 Waiapu Road, Karori, Wellington 6012, New Zealand
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